The National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks the nation’s college basketball teams by region and skill. That’s not how we rank them.
We rank them by names. For their name, most teams choose a mascot that’s a strong animal or a warrior. Some choose a place name or nickname. Some add color to their choice.
So when we watch March Madness, where 65 college basketball teams play for one championship, we’ll be rooting for the teams with our favorite names.
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Amphibians and Reptiles
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Gators: Florida
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Terps: Maryland
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Bulls
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Longhorns: Texas
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Dogs
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Bulldogs: Georgia, Gonzaga, Mississippi State
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Huskies: Connecticut
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Salukis: Southern Illinois
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Terriers: Boston University
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Wild Animals
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Badgers: Wisconsin
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Bearcats: Cincinnati
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Bruins: UCLA
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Golden Bears: California
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Grizzlies: Montana
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Panthers: Pittsburgh
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Wildcats: Arizona, Davidsonville, Kentucky
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Wolfpack: North Carolina State
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Birds
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Bluejays: Creighton
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Cardinal: Stanford
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Ducks: Oregon
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Eagles: Boston College, Winthrop
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Golden Eagles: Marquette
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Jayhawks: Kansas
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Jayhawks: Kansas
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Seahawks: UNC-Wilmington
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Bad Guys
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Blue Devils: Central Connecticut State, Duke
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Good Guys
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Saints: Siena
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Good Guys Gone Bad
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Demon Deacons: Wake Forest
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Nicknames
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Gauchos: University of California-Santa Barbara
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Cowboys: McNeese State, Oklahoma State, Wyoming
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Fighting Irish: Notre Dame
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49ers: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Buckeyes: Ohio State
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Hilltoppers: Western Kentucky
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Hoosiers: Indiana
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Musketeers: Xavier
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Quakers: Pennsylvania
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Rebels: Mississippi
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Sooners: Oklahoma
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Natural Forces
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Crimson Tide: Alabama
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Flames: University of Illinois-Chicago
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Golden Flashes: Kent State
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Golden Hurricane: Tulsa
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Hurricanes: Miami
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Red Storm: St. John’s
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Waves: Pepperdine
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Warriors
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Aztecs: San Diego State
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Braves: Alcorn State
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Crusaders: Holy Cross, Valparaiso
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Fighting Ilini: Illinois
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Pirates; Hampton
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Rainbow Warriors: Hawaii
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Racers: Murray State
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Red Raiders: Texas Tech
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Runnin’ Utes: Utah
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Spartans: Michigan State
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Trojans: Southern California
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Name your own team. Choose an animal. Add a color or a quality. Then add the name of your neighborhood. Come up with one nobody else has thought of. Like the Calvert County Crimson Catfish. Or the Anne Arundel Avid Ardvarks.
Kids’ Stuff
Friday, March 15
It’s Not Spring Just Yet
Warm up by the fire after a short nature hike and sip hot chocolate as you hear a warm story and make a nature craft to take home. All ages. 10am-noon @ Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian. $2.50 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/741-9330.
Wearin’ O’ the Green
Sport your favorite green apparel for a St. Patrick’s Day party of green refreshments and other fun stuff. Ages 3-5. 10:30am @ Northeast Community Center, Chesapeake Beach: 410/586-1101.
Saturday, March 16
Stream Exploration
Explore streams and ponds for frogs, turtles, fish, dragonflies and other aquatic insects. Bring shoes to get wet, extra clothes and towel. All ages. 2-4pm @ the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian. $2.50 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/741-9330.
Sunday, March 17
Feelin’ Green
Tired of bland winter colors? Join Ranger Brian on a search for evergreens: pines, firs, spruces, hemlocks and hollies. All ages. 1pm @ Kinder Farm Park, Millersville. Free; rsvp:
410/222-6115.
Tuesday, March 19
Take a Hike
Take a one-hour wildlife adventure nature hike w/Park Ranger Lisa Wolfe. Pre-school ages w/parent. 11am @ Earleigh Heights Ranger Station, Severna Park. Free; rsvp: 410/22-6244.
